Method and apparatus for casing books and product thereof

ABSTRACT

In one form of the invention, a case for a book has a spine strip of cover material coated with pressure-sensitive adhesive in the spine area and initially separate covers on either side of the spine area. A pad of resilient material such as polyurethane foam is positioned in the center of the spine area of the case and is coated on its exposed surface with pressure-sensitive adhesive initially protected by release paper, which is removed prior to attachment of an uncased book thereto. The spine strip overlaps the spine edges of the covers and is secured thereto by the pressure-sensitive material. The uncased book is preferably provided with end leaves having pressure-sensitive adhesive initially protected with release paper fabricated in a manner to facilitate stripping off the release paper. Apparatus used to case the book has a table on which the case is positioned and clamps pivoted to the table, and movable relative to each other depending on the thickness of the uncased book. In a preferred form of the invention, edge guides for the covers move inward and outward in relation to movement of the clamps toward and away from each other to center the covers relative to the uncased book. The method consists in pivoting the clamp to bring the spine edge of the uncased book into contact with the pressuresensitive spine pad of the case and then to strip away the release paper from the end leaves so that the latter adhere to the insides of the top and bottom covers of the case.

United States Patent [191 Abildgaard et al. Y

[ METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASING BOOKS AND PRODUCT THEREOF [75]Inventors: William H. Abildgaard, Los Altos Hills; Charles T. Groswith,111, Los Altos, both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Velo-Bind, 1nc., Sunnyvale, Calif. [22] Filed: Sept. 22,1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 291,206

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.146,648, May 25,

1971, Pat. No. 3,749,422.

[52] US. Cl l1/1 R [51] Int. Cl. B42c ll/00 [58] Field of Search ll/l R,3, 4; 281/21 R {56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,274,1547/1918 Ethcridge ll/4 3,188,114 6/1965 O'Brien ct al 281/21 R FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,077,181 3/1960 Germany ll/4 PrimaryExaminer-Lawrence Charles Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Julian Caplan [57]ABSTRACT In one form of the invention, a case for a book has a [113,825,963 [451 July 30, 1974 spine strip of cover material coated withpressuresensitive adhesive in the spine area and initially separatecovers on either side of the spine area. A pad of resilient materialsuch as polyurethane foam is positioned in the center of the spine areaof the case and is coated on its exposed surface with pressure-sensitiveadhesive initially protected by release paper, which is removed prior toattachment of an uncased book thereto. The spine strip overlaps thespine edges of the covers and is secured thereto by thepressure-sensitive material. The uncased book is preferably providedwith end leaves having pressure-sensitive adhesive initially protectedwith release paper fabricated in a manner to facilitate stripping offthe release paper. Apparatus used to case the book has a table on whichthe case is positioned and clamps pivoted to the table, and movablerelative to each other depending on the thickness of the uncased book.In a preferred form of the invention, edge guides for the covers moveinward and outward in relation to movement of the clamps toward and awayfrom each other to center the covers relative to the uncased book. Themethod consists in pivoting the clamp to bring the spine edge of theuncased book into contact with the pressure-sensitive spine pad of thecase and then to strip away the release paper from the end leaves sothat the latter adhere to the insides of the top and bottom covers ofthe case.

2 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PAIENIED Lsmsm suzmun w OI PAIENIEB JulamsuSHEET 8 OF 7 1. METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASING BOOKS AND PRODUCTTHEREOF This application is a Continuation-In-Part of US. Pat.application Ser. No. 146,648, filed May 25, 1971 now US. Pat. No.3,749,422 issued July 31, 1973.

This invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus foreasing books and to the product thereof.

A principal object and advantage of the present invention is to greatlyreduce the number of operations required to case an uncased book. Thelabor required is very materially reduced; the use of existing binderyequipment is almost entirely eliminated; and the amount of additionalequipment required is minimal and inexpensive. More particularly,conventional book binding requires a large number of sewing, gluing,beading and rounding steps, each of which normally requires specializedequipment and, further, the casing in of the uncased book requiresgluing and fabricating steps. All of the foregoing steps are eithereliminated or greatly simplified by practice of the present invention.

A further feature of the invention is the reduction in the amount ofskilled labor required. The operator of the equipment used to practicethe present invention does not require extensive training in order topractice the method of the invention.

One of the particular features of the invention is the fact thatpressure-sensitive adhesive is applied to the end leaves of the book. Inaccordance with conventional manufacturing practices, thepressure-sensitive adhesive is first applied to release paper which haspreviously been coated so that when the adhesive is brought into contactwith the end leaf, the adhesive sticks to the end leaf and does notstick well to the release paper. Accordingly, when the release paper isstripped off, the pressure-sensitive adhesive remains with the end leafand is exposed.

Another feature of the invention is the assembling of the uncased bookto its case. After the spine edge of the uncased book is caused toadhere to pressure-sensitive material which is positioned on the spinearea of the case, the release paper for the pressure-sensitive materialof the end leaf is removed, and the end leaves are then caused to adhereto the inside of the covers of the case.

Another principal feature and advantage of the invention is theprovision of a rapid and convenient means for locating the case and thebook relative to each other.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision for rapid andconvenient means for attachment of the book to the spine of the case.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a rapid andconvenient means for attachment of the end leaves to the case.

An object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method forassembly of the uncased book and the case with the use of equipmentwhich resembles in appearance, size and ease of operation standardoffice equipment. Further, the operation of the equipment requiresrelatively unskilled labor.

Other features of the invention are the substantial reduction in theinitial cost of equipment required to assemble the uncased book andcase, a substantial reduction in floor space required as compared withcommercial binderies, and the reduction in maintenance costs of theequipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved bookconstruction. In accordance with a preferred form of the invention, thebook comprises a case having front and back covers and spine coveringfor the spine area of the book which overlaps the spine edges of thecovers. Initially, the spine covering projects outward beyond the topand bottom edges of the front and back covers and is then turned inwardto form top and bottom turn-ins which conceal the top and bottom spineedges. Centrally disposed in the spine area is a pad of resilientmaterial such as polyurethane foam. Preferably, both the spine materialand the pad are coated with pressure-sensitive material which isinitially protected by a release paper. At the time of assembly of theuncased book to the case, the release paper is stripped from the spinematerial, the spine marginal edges of the front and back covers arecaused to adhere to the spine material, the extensions at top and bottomare turned in and thereupon the spine edge of the uncased book isbrought into contact with the pad and adheres thereto.

The foregoing book construction provides great utility in that a casefor a book can be assembled which fits the thickness of the uncased bookwithout special fabrication of the spine. In other words, a single spinestrip provided with a resilient pad will accommodate a wide range ofbook thicknesses. The extent to which the spine material overlaps thespine margins of the front and back covers is dependent upon thethickness of the uncased book. Accordingly, the difierent sizes of caseswhich must be stocked to accommodate a range of thicknesses of uncasedbooks is materially reduced.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of book in accordance with thepresent invention and the case therefor with the release paper for theend leaves still in position, one of the covers being open.

FIG. 1A is a fragmentary, sectional view to the structure of FIG. 1 withthe covers closed and release papers removed.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partially broken away in section, of one formof apparatus for assembling an uncased book and case.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view from the right of FIG. 3

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the structure of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the structure of FIG. 2, partiallybroken away to reveal interior construction.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of book in accordance withthe present invention and the case therefor with the release paper stillin position, the covers of the book being open.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the book of FIG. 6 fully assembled andpartially broken away in section to reveal internal construction.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 of modified apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of the modification of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 5 of the structure of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, schematic, perspective view illustrating stepsin the practice of the method of construction of the book of FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary perspective view of a spine covering inaccordance with FIGS. 6 and 7.

Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,929 wherein an uncased book 41which may be used with the present invention is illustrated anddescribed. It will be understood that the uncased book may beconsiderably modified from that shown in said application in that thebook may be fabricated by sewing, gluing, sta pling or other means.However, the book shown in said U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,929 is a preferredconstruction. Such a book 41 is formed of a plurality of sheets 21formed with apertures 22 adjacent the spine margins thereof. The uncasedbook is held together by means of a first plastic strip 26 havingintegral projecting thermoplastic studs 27 spaced to fit through theholes 22 and a second plastic strip 29 formed with similarly spacedholes 31 preferably having external counterbores 32 in which rivet heads33 are formed on the severed ends of studs 27 by passing a hot knifethrough said studs spaced beyond said second strip and then moving thehot knife toward the second strip to form rivet-like heads on saidstuds. Apparatus and method for thus fabricating a book are claimed inU.S. Pat. No.

3,608,117. Other apparatus may be used. End leaves 23 are provided whichfit on the top and bottom of the stack of sheets 21, the spine marginaledges of the end leaves 23 being apertured and receiving the same studs27 which secure the sheets 21 to the strips 26, 29.

One of the features of the present application is the use ofpressure-sensitive adhesive 36 on at least a portion of each end leaf23. Initially, such adhesive 36 is protected from contact with otherobjects by release paper 37. Release paper 37, as conventionallymanufactured, is ordinary Kraft paper which is coated with polyethyleneon both sides so that the paper does not absorb solvents or moisture andthe polyethylene coating is stable. At least the side of the releasepaper to which the adhesive is applied is coated with a siliconematerial to facilitate stripping.

Adhesive 36 is usually an acrylic, cross-linked acrylic, nitrile rubberor other polymer which is initially dissolved in a solvent ascommercially available. A coating between 4 and 6 mils thick is appliedto the silicone coated surface of the release paper 37 and then thesolvent is driven off by drying in an oven so that the adhesive layer 36is about I mil or less in thickness. Such release paper 37 coated withadhesive 36 is then laminated to the end leaf 23 and rolled so that theadhesive 36 sticks to the end leaf 23. The fabrication of the end leaf23, adhesive 36 and release paper 37 is an adaptation of generalcommercial practice in the pressure-sensitive adhesive art. Inaccordance with the present invention, in the form of the inventionshown in FIG. 1, a slit 38 is formed in the release paper 37 immediatelyoutside each strip 26 or 29. By pulling the release paper 37 away fromthe adhesive 36 commencing at the slip 38, the release paper is removed,exposing the adhesive 36. When the top cover 56 of the case 46 isclosed, adhesive 36 causes the end leaf 23 to adhere 4 to theinsidecover, as subsequently explained, and thus the case and cover areassembled.

Case 46 is likewise subject to variation. One preferred form, shown inFIGS. l5,'employs cover material.47 of vinyl, leather or other suitablesubstance-and to the center of the case 46 extending vertically in thecompleted book is a resilient spine strip 48 which is pressure-sensitiveon both surfaces and is preferably originally covered by release paper480 (see FIG. 2) which is stripped off at the commencement of theassembling operation. Immediately to the outside of the strip 48 is ahinge forming area 49 which is the thinnest part of the case.Immediately outside of each hinge forming area 49 are boards 51 ofcardboard or similar material. The top and bottom margins of the covermaterial 47 are folded inward in top and bottom turnins 52 at the topand bottom edges of the book, only partially covering the boards 51.Similarly, on each outer edge an edge turnin 53 of the material 47 isformed and the corners 54 are preferably mitered, all as in accordancewith conventional case manufacturing operations. Thus, front and backcovers 56 and an intermediate central spine cover 57 are provided. Inthe ultimate fabrication of the book, hinge creases 58 are formedimmediately inward of covers 56 and beads 59 formed immediately inwardof the hinge creases 58.

In assembling the uncased book 41 to the case 46 of FIGS. l-lA, as isfurther set forth in the description of FIGS. 2-5, the spine edge of theuncased book 41 is caused to adhere to the pressure-sensitive resilientspine strip 48. The completion of this operation is shown in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 1, the top cover 56 (and the bottom cover as well) isunfinished in that the board 51 is shown merely covered by the turned intop and bottom portions 52 and edge turnin 53. The ultimate position ofthe end leaf 23 which conceals the board 51 is shown in dot-and-dashlines in the inside of top cover 56.

In the form shown in FIG. 1, slit 38 is formed extending from top tobottom of the release paper 37 immediately inside the hinged area 58. Asa further step in the completion of the book, the release paper 37 ispeeled back from the adhesive 36 of the end leaf 23, the beginning ofthis operation being shown in the dot-and-dash line portion of theuncased book 41 of FIG. 1. The release paper 37 is completely removedand the top cover 56 is then closed causing the adhesive 36 to adhere tothe inside of the board 51 and the portions of the tumed-in portions 52,52 and 53 within the dot-anddash lines. The end leaf 23 then permanentlyadheres to the cover 56.

As shown in FIG. 6, adhesive 36a is preferably applied only partiallyover the width of the release paper 37a but terminates in line 64 spacedinward from the left-hand margin of the paper 23a. Accordingly, as shownin FIG. 6, when the release paper 37a is peeled back, the edge 64 of theadhesive 36a is spaced outward of the inner margin of the end leaf 23a apredetermined distance. The space between the edge 64 and the inner edgeof the sheet 23a provides room for the plastic strip 26a. To facilitatestripping of the release paper 37a, a folded over portion of extendedwidth is connected to the outer edge of end leaf 23e. Sheet 66 is thenfolded to overlie the release paper 370 so that the area where the strip26a is to be applied is clear and accessible during the makeup of theuncased book. After the uncased book is inserted in the case, it isdesirable that the sheet 66 protrude outside the outer edge of the bookso that it may be gripped with the covers closed and pulled to exposethe adhesive 36a and to make it possible for the end leaf 23a to bebonded to the inside of the cover without the necessity of opening thebook. Adhesive film 36a breaks at line 64 when tab 66 is pulled to theright, and release paper 37a is stripped from adhesive 36a on end leaf23a. Preferably sheet 66 is formed integral with release paper 37arather than as a separate element.

Directing attention to the modification shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the case46a, instead of being in a single piece, comprises three separatemembers which are initially separate and are assembled only after thethickness of the uncased book 41a with which the case is to be used hasbeen determined. The front and back covers 51a are each a discretemember consisting of a suitable cover material 47a which covers theoutsides of boards 51a and the edges of the boards are finished off bytop and bottom turn-ins 52a and side turn-in 53a. However, the edge ofthe cover 51a which is adjacent the spine of the book may be unfinished.

Spine binding 71 may be of a material such as vinyl, leather, cloth orthe like and may be the same texture and color as material 47a butpreferably a contrasting color. The length of binding 71 is greater thanthe length of the unbound book 41a to be cased. The width of binding 71is substantially greater than the spine thickness of uncased book 41a sothat, as best shown in FIGS. 7, the binding 71 overlaps the spine edgesof cover material 470. The amount of said overlap is variable dependingupon the thickness of uncased book 41a. In other words, in a preferredembodiment of this invention, the spine binding 71 is of a standardwidth which can be used in connection with a range of thicknesses ofuncased books, the amount of the overlap being dependent upon thethickness of uncased book 41a. Prior to assembly of the cased anduncased books (see especially FIG. 11), there is a resilient pad 72centrally disposed relative to binding 71. This pad is of polyurethanefoam or similar resilient material. Both pad 72 and the inner surface ofbinding 71 are coated with a pressure-sensitive adhesive 74, 73,respectively. Prior to use, the pressure-sensitive material 73, 74 isprotected by release paper 75 which is peeled away immediately beforeuse.

As indicated in FIG. 11 by reference numeral 76, the binding 71 and pad72 initially extend beyond the top and bottom edges of cover 560. In thecompleted book, however, the extensions 76 are folded over the covers56a and adhere to the boards 51 and self-adhere to pad 72 and binding71. Thus, the edges of the book in the spine area are finished off (seeFIGS. 6 and 7).

In other respects, the binding of FIGS. 6-11 is similar to the precedingmodification and the same reference numerals followed by the subscript aare used to designate corresponding elements.

The apparatus 80 illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 may be used to assemble theuncased book 41 to the case 46. End leaves 23 of the type illustratedand described in FIGS. 1 or 6 may be applied to the uncased book 41prior to its being positioned in the apparatus 80.

The case 46 is placed on table 81 which is shown in the accompanyingdrawings being horizontal but is actually preferably downwardlyrearwardly inclined as is best shown in FIG. 3. The angle which thetable 81 assumes is governed by the length of the feet 82 which arepositioned below the four corners of the table.

Stops 85 at the rear edge of table 81 locate case 46 in a rearwardsense. On either side of table 81 is a trans verse slot 83. Wings 84 arelocated on eitherside of the apparatus sliding over the surface of table81 and each having a downward extension 86 which fits through slotsponding rack 88L of the left hand side. The inner ends of the racks 88Land 88R slide through a central block 89 on the underside of the middleof the table 81 and mounted for rotation in block 89 is a pinion 91connected to forwardly extending shaft 92 which is mounted in a bearingsupport 93 along the bottom of the front edge of the table 81 with acentering knob 94 on the exterior of the apparatus. By turning knob 94the pinion 91 is likewise turned and this causes racks 88L and 88R tomove in and out equi-distant amounts in opposite directions and therebymove the wings 84 inwardly and outwardly relative to the center of theTable 81 for the purpose of accurately centering the case 46 receivedbetween the inner edges of the wings 84 relative to the center line ofthe table. A

Pivoted to the rear edge of table 81 is a clamp 95 the case 46 ashereinafter appears. Bearing blocks 96 I are located on the rear edge oftable 81 and receive shaft 98 which extends from the right hand edge oftable 81 to a position to the left of the center thereof. Shaft 98consists of three sections. At the right hand edge is an unthreadedsection which is connected by coupling 97 to a right hand threadedsection which lies immediately to the left of coupling 97 as viewed inFIG. 2 and extends up to the center of the machine while the shaft 98 tothe left of the center of the machine is left hand threaded. Thicknessadjusting knob 99 is fixed to shaft 98 on the right hand side of themachine. By turning knob 99, the shafts 98 turn in bearing supports 96.The left and right clamp members 101L, 101R are moved by shaft 98, eachhaving a nut 102 in threaded engagement with shaft 98. Thus, when knob99 is turned, the nuts 102 move toward or away from each other, bringingthe clamp members 101L, 101R toward and away from each other to adjustfor the thickness of ....l.b99k 4. .w he d. hsrsbs ws nt Each member 101has a Plate 103 which oscillates around the center of shaft 98 in avertical plane. Ex-

tending laterally from adjacent the front edge of each the bottom edgesof plates 103. Three transverse rods I 108 extend through gussets 107,the ends of rods 108 being fixed to one of the gussets and slidingwithin holes in the other gusset. The rods 108 insure that the members101 pivot together rather than independently.

Extending rearward of table 81 is a rearward extension 111 on which thelower edges of plates 103 rest in the retracted position of the clamp 95and extending up from the extension Ill of the rear of the machine is athe encased book 41 rests at the time of initial installation. The upperedge of boss 112 is level with the tops. of rods 108 so that the uncasedbook is properly located at the beginning of the assembly operationresting on the tops of rods 108 and boss 112.

Irithe use of apparatus 80, at the outset, clamp 95 is pivoted to upposition (solid lines in FIG. 3) and the uncased book 41 is placed inthe clamp 95. For this purpose, knob 99 is turned so that the clampmembers llL, 101R are moved apart a distance slightly greater than thethickness of the book 41. The book 41, with end leaves 23 and releasepaper 37 incorporated therein as previously explained, are positionedbetween plates 103 with the strips 26, 29 forward of the front 1 12. ofplates 103 and with the bottom edge of the uncased book resting uponrods 108 and leveling boss 112. The knob 99 is then turned to bring theclamp members 101L, 101R together and to clamp the uncased book intoposition therebetween. By observation of the distance between members101L, 101R, or by the use of a gauge (not shown), the width of the spineof the book is estimated and a case 46 having a proper spine dimensionis selected. Such case 46 is placed on the table 81 and moved rearwardto engage stops 85. Knob 94 is turned so that the wings 84 center case46 relative to the center of the machine. Release paper 48a, whichcovers the pressure-sensitive spine strip, is removed exposing theadhesive on the spine strip.

After the case 46 and uncased book 41 have been installed as abovedescribed, the operator grips the handles 106 and pivots the clamp 95 ina counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3 from the solid lineposition to the dotted line position. This forces the spine edges of theuncased book 41 against the pressure-sensitive strips 48 and the twoparts then stick together. By releasing the grip on the handles 106, theclamp 95 can be pivoted back to its initial position, leaving theuncased book 41 in position on the case 46. Thereupon, when the endleaves 23 of FIG. 6, for example, have been previously installed, thefront and rear covers 56a may be closed, the sheet 66 pulled, exposingto the inside of the covers the pressure-sensitive adhesive 36a whichthen sticks to the boards 51 and to the edges of the turn-ins 52, 53completing assembly of the book.

Where end leaves 23 such as shown in FIG. 1 have been employed, theassembly of the end leaves to the inside of the cover is accomplished byserially attaching the covers. This is done by pulling off release paper37 of each end leaf 23 and then closing the cover and pressing ittightly against adhesive 36.

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate an apparatus 80a used to assemble the book ofFIGS. 6 and 7. Said apparatus 80a is a modification of the apparatusshown in FIGS. 2-5 and the same reference numerals followed by subscripta are used to designate corresponding parts. In this modification, thetable 810 is supported on either side by sides 116 which rest on thesupporting surface. Along the front of table 81a is a front edge 117which projects above the level of table 81a and forms a bottom guide forcase 46. Similarly along the rear of table 81a is an upstanding rearedge 118 which forms a top guide for the case. In order to centrallylocate the spine binding 71, a center notch 119 is formed in edges 117,118 and an outer notch 121 of lesser depth is formed outwardly of notch119. As has heretofore been mentioned, the

' 127 which are fixed to wings 84a which reciprocate spine binding 71 isintended to cover a range of books of varying spine thicknesses.However, in a preferred form of apparatus, the notch 119 and 121 areprovided so that two different widths of spine binding 71 may-beaccommodated, the wider binding material being used for the thicker bookand inserted in notches 121. It will be understood that more or fewernotches may be used.

Bearings .114 are formed below table 81a at either end, preferably beingformed integrally with the sides 116. Rotatable within bearings 114 ishorizontal shaft 126 parallel to shaft 98a and similarly formed withleft and right hand threads. Shaft 126 is engaged by nuts horizontallyon table 81a. Wings 84a have at their outer extremities upward expandingouter edges 132 which form guides for the outer edges of cover 56a.Sprockets 128 are fixed to shafts 98a and 126 and interconnected bysprocket belt 129. Hence when the operator turns knob 99a, jaws 1011.11and 101Ra move inwardly and outwardly and the wings 84a and the sideedges 132 thereof move inwardly and outwardly a corresponding distance.Thus, the spine binding 71 is centered relative to table 81a so that theexposed surface thereof is a predetermined width greater than thethickness of the spine of the uncased book 410 which is held in theclamps 101La and 101Ra.

As best shown in FIG. 8, the jaws 101La and 101Ra each has a plate 103awhich has an in-turn flange 131 which grips the unbound book 41aimmediately behind the binding strips 26a and 29a when said strips areused.

The apparatus 80a is preferably used to case the book shown in FIGS. 6and 7 but may be used to case the book shown in FTGS. 1, 1A. The uncasedbook 41a is preferably of the type shown in US. Pat. No. 3,596,929 butmay be of other types such as stapled, sewn, glued or otherwise boundbooks. Initially, the clamp members l0lLa, 101Ra are in the up positionshown in full lines in FIG. 9. The operator turns the knob 99a in properdirection to move the jaws far enough apart to receive the uncased book41a which is positioned so that its spine edge is forward and its topedge is resting upon the rods 108a. Knob 99a is turned to bring the jaws101La, 101Ra together with the inturned flanges 131 immediately behindthe plastic strips 260, 29a if such construction has been used. Movementof knob 99a not only moves the jaws but also moves the wings 84a overthe table 81a a corresponding distance. From observation it can bedetermined whether a narrow or a wide spine binding 71 should be used.The proper binding is selected and it is centered either by notches 119or 121. Extensions 76 project equal distances beyond the front and rearedges 117, 118. The release paper which initially protects thepressure-sensitive material 73, 74 is removed, exposing such material.

The operator thereupon takes the right hand top bottom cover 56a andpositions it so that its outer edge fits against outer edge 132 of wing84a and its bottom edge is against front edge 117 and its top edge isagainst back edge 118. The cover 56a is then allowed to drop so that itsspine margin overlaps binding 71 and adhesive 73 causes cover 56a toadhere to binding 71. The opposite cover 56a is then positioned insimilar fashion. Completion of this step is shown in FIG. 11. Thereuponthe extensions 76 at top and bottom are folded back to the positionshown in FIG. 8, and adhesives 73, 74 cohere, finishing off the spineedge of the case.

Thereupon, the operator grips the handles 106a and pivots the jaws101La, 101Ra forwardly to the dotted line position of FIG. 9 causing thespine edge of the uncased book 41a to be secured by means of adhesive 74to pad 72. Completion of this operation is shown in FIG. 10. Thereupon,the knob 99a is turned to back off the jaws a sufficient distance toallow the jaws to be returned to up position without moving the uncasedbook. Thereupon, the front and back covers are closed.

By drawing a tool on the operators thumb along the outside of the coverimmediately outwardly of the plastic strips 26a, 29a, the hinge creases58a are formed along with the beads 58a immediately outwardly of saidcreases. The operator then grips one of the extensions 66 of end leafrelease paper 37a and pulls the release paper 37a out of the book,causing the pressuresensitive adhesive 360 on the end leaf 23a to adhereto the inside of cover 56a as indicated by dot-and-dash line in FIG. 6.The operation is repeated for the other cover of the book. It will beunderstood that end leaves 23a of construction other than thatillustrated in FIG. 6, such as that shown in FIG. 1, may be used withthe apparatus of FIGS. 8- 10 to form the books of FIGS. 6 and 7.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for assembling an uncased book to a case of the type havinga flexible spine section having an exposed pressure-sensitive insidesurface comprising a table dimensioned to support said case laid outsubstantially flat with said pressure-sensitive inside surfaceuppermost, clamp means dimensioned to support an uncased book with itsspine edge exposed and connecting means connecting saidclamp means tosaid table whereby said clamp means may be moved toward said table andthe spine edge of a book held in said clamp means and said insidesurface forced into engagement with each other, said clamp meanscomprising a pair of plates located transverse to said table, means formoving said plates toward and away from each other to accommodate booksof varying thickness, and guide means inter-connecting said plates tomaintain said plates substantially parallel, said guide means furthercomprising support means for said uncased book locating said uncasedbook relative to said case.

2. Apparatus for assembling an uncased book to a case of the type havinga flexible spine section having an exposed pressure-sensitive insidesurface comprising a table dimensioned to support said case laid outsubstantially flat with said pressure-sensitive inside surfaceuppermost, clamp means dimensioned to support an uncased book with itsspine edge exposed and connecting means connecting said clamp means tosaid table whereby said clamp means may be moved toward said table andthe spine edge of a book held in said clamp means and said insidesurface forced into engagement with each other of the middle of saidcase, said clamp means comprising a pair of plates located transverse tosaid table, and means for moving said plates toward and away from eachother to accommodate books of varying thickness, adjustable means onsaid table movable toward and away from said clamp means to engage theouter edges of said case to center said case relative to said clampmeans.

1. Apparatus for assembling an uncased book to a case of the type havinga flexible spine section having an exposed pressuresensitive insidesurface comprising a table dimensioned to support said case laid outsubstantially flat with said pressuresensitive inside surface uppermost,clamp means diMensioned to support an uncased book with its spine edgeexposed and connecting means connecting said clamp means to said tablewhereby said clamp means may be moved toward said table and the spineedge of a book held in said clamp means and said inside surface forcedinto engagement with each other, said clamp means comprising a pair ofplates located transverse to said table, means for moving said platestoward and away from each other to accommodate books of varyingthickness, and guide means interconnecting said plates to maintain saidplates substantially parallel, said guide means further comprisingsupport means for said uncased book locating said uncased book relativeto said case.
 2. Apparatus for assembling an uncased book to a case ofthe type having a flexible spine section having an exposedpressure-sensitive inside surface comprising a table dimensioned tosupport said case laid out substantially flat with saidpressure-sensitive inside surface uppermost, clamp means dimensioned tosupport an uncased book with its spine edge exposed and connecting meansconnecting said clamp means to said table whereby said clamp means maybe moved toward said table and the spine edge of a book held in saidclamp means and said inside surface forced into engagement with eachother of the middle of said case, said clamp means comprising a pair ofplates located transverse to said table, and means for moving saidplates toward and away from each other to accommodate books of varyingthickness, adjustable means on said table movable toward and away fromsaid clamp means to engage the outer edges of said case to center saidcase relative to said clamp means.